U.S. patent number 7,659,824 [Application Number 11/617,024] was granted by the patent office on 2010-02-09 for sanitizer dispensers with compliance verification.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Resurgent Health & Medical, LLC. Invention is credited to Stephan Jerome Heim, Timothy Prodanovich.
United States Patent |
7,659,824 |
Prodanovich , et
al. |
February 9, 2010 |
Sanitizer dispensers with compliance verification
Abstract
A system is provided for providing compliance verification of
sanitizer use from a sanitizer dispenser. The system provides for
identifying individual users of one or more sanitizer dispensers
through technologies such as RFID. Individual's use of sanitizer
dispensers is monitored to determine compliance with sanitizer use
requirements. A compliance report may be generated based on data
associated with one or more individuals' use of the sanitizer
dispenser(s). Additionally, the sanitizer dispenser may identify
containers having authorized sanitizer.
Inventors: |
Prodanovich; Timothy (Boulder,
CO), Heim; Stephan Jerome (Louisville, CO) |
Assignee: |
Resurgent Health & Medical,
LLC (Golden, CO)
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Family
ID: |
39328671 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/617,024 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20080100441 A1 |
May 1, 2008 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60863753 |
Oct 31, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/573.1;
340/572.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
21/245 (20130101); B08B 3/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
23/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;340/573.1,572.1,540 |
References Cited
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Primary Examiner: Hofsass; Jeffery
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sheridan Ross, P.C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/863,753 filed on Oct. 31, 2006, and
entitled "AUTOMATED WASHING SYSTEM WITH COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION",
the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety for all purposes.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for monitoring sanitizer use, the system comprising: at
least a first sanitizer dispenser operable to dispense sanitizer to
a user's hand; an identification apparatus operatively associated
with the first sanitizer dispenser, the identification apparatus
being operable to automatically identify at least one of (a) the
user, and (b) a first sanitizer container engaged with the first
sanitizer dispenser; a sanitizer dispenser operations monitor
operatively associated with the first sanitizer dispenser, the
sanitizer dispenser monitor comprising: a
consumables-authentication module in communication with the
identification apparatus, the consumables-authentication module
operable to obtain an identifier associated with the first
sanitizer dispenser and verify that the obtained identifier matches
a selected identifier associated with at least one of a sanitizer
type, a sanitizer composition, a sanitizer volume, a sanitizer
container shape, a sanitizer container size, and a sanitizer
concentration.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
compliance module in communication with the identification
apparatus, the compliance module being operable to record data
associated with use of the first sanitizer dispenser by the user,
and wherein the identification apparatus is operable to
automatically identify the user, and wherein the sanitizer
dispenser operations monitor comprises the compliance module in
communication with the identification apparatus.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an
administration computer in communication with the sanitizer
dispenser operations monitor of the first sanitizer dispenser, the
administration computer being operable to generate a compliance
report based on at least a portion of the data associated with use
of the first sanitizer dispenser.
4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the administration
computer is in communication with a plurality of sanitizer
dispenser operations monitors of a corresponding plurality of
sanitizer dispensers, the plurality of sanitizer dispensers
including the first sanitizer dispenser, wherein the compliance
report is based on data recorded by the plurality of sanitizer
dispenser operations monitors.
5. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein, for each use of the
first sanitizer dispenser, the data associated with the use of the
first sanitizer dispenser includes an employee name, a time of
sanitizer dispenser use, and a date of sanitizer dispenser use.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a boolean
value indicative of user compliance with a sanitizer-use
requirement.
7. The system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a sensor
disposed on the first sanitizer dispenser operable to determine if
the user's hand is in a position to receive the sanitizer from the
first sanitizer dispenser.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the compliance module
is in communication with the sensor.
9. The system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a sensor
disposed on the sanitizer dispenser operable to assess if sanitizer
is dispensed from the first sanitizer dispenser.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the compliance module
is in communication with the sensor.
11. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the compliance module
is configured, based on a user identifier, to direct the first
sanitizer dispenser to administer at least one of: (a) a
predetermined sanitizer; and (b) a sanitizer amount.
12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification
apparatus is operable to automatically identify the first sanitizer
container engaged with the first sanitizer dispenser, and wherein
the sanitizer dispenser operations monitor comprises the
consumables-authentication module in communication with the
identification apparatus.
13. The system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an
administration computer, wherein the administration computer is
notified by the sanitizer dispenser operations monitor if the
consumables-authentication module identifies at least one of (a) a
second sanitizer container, and (b) an unauthorized sanitizer
container.
14. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the identification
apparatus is further operable to automatically identify the first
sanitizer container engaged with the first sanitizer dispenser, and
wherein the sanitizer dispenser operations monitor further
comprises the consumables-authentication module in communication
with the identification apparatus.
15. The system as claimed in claim 14, further comprising an
administration computer in communication with the sanitizer
dispenser operations monitor of at least the first sanitizer
dispenser, the administration computer being operable to generate a
compliance report based on at least a portion of the data
associated with use of the first sanitizer dispenser, and wherein
the administration computer is notified by the sanitizer dispenser
operations monitor if the consumables-authentication module
identifies at least one of (a) a second sanitizer container, and
(b) an unauthorized sanitizer container.
16. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the administration
computer is in communication with a plurality of sanitizer
dispenser operations monitors of a corresponding plurality of
sanitizer dispensers, the plurality of sanitizer dispensers
including the first sanitizer dispenser, wherein the compliance
report is based on data recorded by the plurality of sanitizer
dispenser operations monitors.
17. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification
apparatus comprises an RFID reader.
18. A method of monitoring sanitizer use, the method comprising:
automatically obtaining, in conjunction with a first sanitizer
dispenser, an identifier associated with a first sanitizer
container engaged with the first sanitizer dispenser; and verifying
by a computer that the obtained identifier matches a predetermined
identifier associated with at least one of a sanitizer type, a
sanitizer composition, a sanitizer volume, a sanitizer container
shape, a sanitizer container size, and a sanitizer
concentration.
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the user of the
first sanitizer dispenser is automatically identified, and wherein
the computer records the identity of the user.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising
monitoring by the computer the use of the first sanitizer dispenser
by the user.
21. The method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising preparing
a compliance report listing the identity of the user of the first
sanitizer dispenser.
22. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising
determining at least one of a sanitizer type, sanitizer volume, and
sanitizer concentration for the user.
23. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising compiling
a compliance report using data from a plurality of sanitizer
dispensers, including the first sanitizer dispenser.
24. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first container
engaged with the first sanitizer dispenser is automatically
identified, and wherein the computer records the identity of the
first sanitizer container.
25. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising
determining whether the first sanitizer container is approved.
26. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first container
engaged with the first sanitizer dispenser is automatically
identified, and wherein the computer records the identity of the
first sanitizer container.
27. The method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising
monitoring by the computer the use of the first sanitizer dispenser
by the user.
28. The method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising preparing
a compliance report listing the identity of the user of the first
sanitizer dispenser.
29. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising
determining whether the first sanitizer container is approved.
30. A system for monitoring sanitizer use, the system comprising:
means for containing a sanitizer; means for dispensing the
sanitizer to at least one hand of a user; means for automatically
obtaining, in conjunction with the means for dispensing the
sanitizer, an identifier associated with the means for containing
the sanitizer and corresponding to at least one of a sanitizer
type, a sanitizer composition, a sanitizer volume, a sanitizer
container shape, a sanitizer container size, and a sanitizer
concentration; and means for verifying that the obtained identifier
matches a predetermined identifier; wherein the means for verifying
is in communication with the means for automatically obtaining.
31. The system as claimed in claim 30, further comprising means for
generating a report using data provided by the means for
automatically obtaining and the means for verifying.
32. The system as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a means
for indicating whether sanitizer was dispensed.
33. The system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the means for
automatically obtaining further comprises at least one of (a) being
operatively associated with means for dispensing, and (b) being
located proximate to the means for dispensing.
34. The system as claimed in claim 30, further comprising means for
verifying that the sanitizer is an approved type.
35. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
consumables replacement module operable to determine that the first
sanitizer container associated with the first sanitizer dispense
requires replacement in response to passage of a selected amount of
sanitizer dispensed.
36. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the consumables
replacement module determines that the first sanitizer container
requires replacement, the system is rendered inoperable until the
first sanitizer container is replaced.
37. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the obtained
identifier is unique to the first sanitizer dispenser.
Description
FIELD
The present invention relates to a compliance verification system
for sanitizer dispensers.
BACKGROUND
The importance of cleanliness has long been recognized,
particularly in the fields of heath-care, food preparation, and
laboratories, to name but a few. Although traditional hand washing
using soap and water is performed by most people, these same people
are often unwittingly exposed to unsanitary conditions after
washing their hands. For example, people are potentially exposed to
unsanitary surfaces by touching a handrail of a stairway or
escalator, and/or when opening doors, handling currency, touching
keyboards, etc. Thus, sanitizer dispensers are used in a wide
variety of settings to provide people with a sanitizing material to
rub on their hands prior to undertaking activities where
cleanliness is important, such as prior to eating, handling food,
or attending to a patient at a health care facility. Of course,
sanitizer dispensers are also used at remote locations, such as at
construction sites, temporary emergency care locations or large
public gatherings where soap and water are not always readily
available.
One difficulty with attempting to provide sanitary conditions is
that people do not always wash their hands and/or use a sanitizer
material when they should. For example, health care staff and/or
patient visitors do not always have clean hands when visiting or
attending to a patient. As a further example, people in the food
service industry do not always have clean hands when undertaking
their food preparation duties. Even when sanitizer dispensers are
available, the intended user, such as health care staff or food
preparation workers, do not necessarily use the sanitizer
dispensers when they should. Thus, for those situations or settings
where users are required by a rule or requirement to use a
sanitizer, it would be advantageous in such situations to provide a
verification system to monitor user compliance.
A further difficulty with attempting to provide sanitary conditions
is that an improper substance may be loaded into a sanitizer
dispenser. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a system of
monitoring whether an authorized sanitizer container has been
installed in a sanitizer dispenser.
SUMMARY
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a Radio
Frequency Identification ("RFID") or other electronically readable
indentifier system is disclosed for use in connection with one or
more sanitizer dispensers. The system is operable to record and
report on user compliance with sanitizer use requirements. In
addition, the system has the capability to ensure that an
authorized consumable sanitizer, such as an alcohol gel, is used in
the sanitizer dispenser.
In accordance with one or more embodiments described herein, the
user carries or wears an RFID tag (or other automatically
detectable identification device) that is specific to the
individual. Upon approaching a sanitizer dispenser, an RFID reader
recognizes the user's tag and records the user name, time, date,
sanitizer dispenser location/ID, and may also record whether the
dispenser was cycled. The data is stored in the readers' database
until captured via various methods and transferred into a report
format for an administrator. The administrator can then review the
compliance statistics for the various users.
In a separate aspect of the invention, and in accordance with one
or more embodiments described herein, the RFID system is well
suited to monitoring whether a consumable item used in the
sanitizer dispenser, such as a sanitizing alcohol gel, is authentic
or unauthorized. An RFID tag is attached to the consumable product,
such as a bag or bottle containing an alcohol gel. When installed
in the sanitizer dispenser, the tag attached to the sanitizer
container bag or bottle will confirm to the RFID system by way of
the unique tag identifier that the subject bottle is an authorized
sanitizer. Upon detection of an improper consumables item, the
administrator may be notified, or another action may be taken. For
example, the dispenser's plunger is deactivated in some manner,
such as by triggering a locking pin into the dispenser's plunger.
In another example, a warning device, such an audible and/or visual
alarm is activated. Without this verification, a user of the
sanitizer dispenser may advertently or inadvertently use an
unauthorized solution that is harmful or ineffective as a
sanitizer. Another benefit is that an authorized sanitizer will be
at the correct viscosity to ensure that an adequate sanitizer
amount is dispensed when the dispenser plunger is cycled, and/or to
ensure that the plunger opening does not become plugged from an
improper material loaded into the sanitizer dispenser. Another
benefit is that the maintenance history for the sanitizer dispenser
can be electronically, optically, and/or magnetically recorded for
later review. The RFID tag on each consumables container can not
only indicate the type and/or composition of the additive, but also
the container size (volume). The computer tracking system can
record the RFID tag indentifier and time stamp when it was
read.
Various embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the
attached figures and in the detailed description of the invention
as provided herein and as embodied by the claims. It should be
understood, however, that this Summary does not contain all of the
aspects and embodiments of the present invention, is not meant to
be limiting or restrictive in any manner, and that the invention as
disclosed herein is and will be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art to encompass obvious improvements and
modifications thereto.
Additional advantages of the present invention will become readily
apparent from the following discussion, particularly when taken
together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components that may be included in
embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a sanitizer dispenser in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a sanitizer dispenser operations
monitor in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is an exemplary sanitizer dispenser-use record in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an exemplary employee record in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an administration computer in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an exemplary compliance report in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting aspects of a method of monitoring
sanitizer use compliance in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is directed to a system and method for
ensuring user (e.g., employee) compliance with sanitizer use
requirements. In accordance with embodiments of the present
invention, employee use of one or more sanitizer dispensers is
monitored. The sanitizer dispensers operate to dispense a
sanitizer, such as an alcohol gel or alcohol mist, when a person
activates the sanitizer dispenser, such as by pushing a plunger or
triggering an infrared sensor to automatically activate ejection of
the sanitizer when a person places one or both of their hands
adjacent the sanitizer dispenser. Thus, as used herein, a
"sanitizer dispenser" means a device that dispenses a sanitizer,
whether manually (e.g., by pressing a button or plunger) or
automatically (e.g, by a battery powered pump in a touchless
sanitizer dispenser). In addition, as used herein, "sanitizer"
refers to a fluid, whether a liquid, gas, or pseudo-solid (such as
a semi-solid or gel) that includes one or more antimicrobial and/or
cleaning agents. The antimicrobial agent can kill organisms such as
bacteria, protozoa, and/or viruses. Sanitizer use requirements may
vary depending upon the nature of the person's work. For example,
employees may be instructed to use a sanitizer upon entering a
patient's room or just prior to attending their food service work
station. In such exemplary situations, rules may be in place for
use of a sanitizer prior to performing work in the patient's room
or prior to handling utensils or tools at a food service work
station. For such situations, embodiments of the present invention
allow monitoring and verification of employee compliance with
sanitizer use requirements. Accordingly, the sanitizer dispensers
are operable to record and report data related to employee
compliance with such requirements.
Referring now to FIG. 1, components of a compliance system in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated in block diagram form. Shown in FIG. 1 is a plurality
of sanitizer dispensers 100a, 100b . . . 100n. The sanitizer
dispensers 100a-100n may be used by people employed at a facility
that requires employees to use a sanitizer on their hands. Such
facilities may include, for example, restaurants, food processing
facilities, hospitals and laboratories. Also shown in FIG. 1 is an
administration computer 104 for use by a manager or administrator
of the facility. The administration computer 104 is operable to
generate a compliance report as described herein.
The administration computer 104 communicates with the one or more
sanitizer dispensers 100a-100n over a plurality of communication
links 108a, 108b . . . 108n. The communication links may be
implemented by any one of a variety of methods and may depend on
the type of facility in which the sanitizer dispensers 100a-100n
are used. In particular, the communication links 108a-108n may be
implemented as part of a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN). More particularly, the communication links 108a-108n
may be implemented using such protocols as Ethernet or USB. The
communications links 108a-108n may be implemented as wired or
wireless connections. It may be the case that the administration
computer 104 is located in a separate facility from one or more of
the sanitizer dispensers 100a-100n. In this case, a distributed
data processing network such as the Internet may form part of the
communication links 108a-108n.
Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary sanitizer dispenser 100a is
illustrated. The sanitizer dispenser 100a includes a sanitizer
dispenser operations monitor 200. The sanitizer dispenser
operations monitor 200 is a computational device such as a general
purpose computer, controller, or ASIC that is operable to record
data associated with employee use of the sanitizer dispenser 100a
and to report the data to the administration computer 104. The
sanitizer dispenser operations monitor 200 may be incorporated into
the sanitizer dispenser 100a (if an automated dispenser) or,
alternatively, may be implemented as a separate computing
device.
Also shown in FIG. 2 is a user 204 of the sanitizer dispenser 100a.
The user 204 may be an employee or visitor who is required to use a
sanitizer because of the nature of their work or the nature of the
facility. The user 204 is shown wearing a user RFID tag 208. The
user RFID tag 208 is programmed by an RFID tag programming device
(not shown) with information such as an employee number that, when
read, uniquely identifies the employee. The RFID tag 208 may be
incorporated into an identification badge or bracelet worn by the
user 204.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
sanitizer dispenser 100a includes an RFID reader 212. The RFID
reader 212 is positioned so as to be able to read the user RFID tag
208 when the user 204 is obtaining sanitizer at a sanitizer
dispenser 100a. The RFID reader 212 may be incorporated into the
sanitizer dispenser 100a or, alternatively, may be implemented as a
stand-alone device. For example, the RFID reader 212 may be
positioned adjacent to the sanitizer dispenser 100a.
In a separate aspect of the present invention, the sanitizer
dispenser 100a may optionally include a use verifier, such as an
optical sensor 216 positioned so as to be able to sense whether the
user 204 actually positioned at least one of their hands for
properly receiving a dose of sanitizer. For example, a battery
powered optical sensor 216 may be placed adjacent a plunger 218
that is depressed by the user 204 to obtain sanitizer from the
sanitizer dispenser 100a. Alternatively, the optical sensor 216 may
serve as both a use verifier and as a trigger for the sanitizer
dispenser. For example, in touchless sanitizer dispensers the
optical sensors 216 serve to trigger the sanitizer dispenser to
deliver a dose of sanitizer by an electric pump or atomizer. For
such sanitizer dispensers, the optical sensor 216 may also serve as
the optical sensor for monitoring the position of the user's hands
and reporting to the administration computer 104 whether, and
optionally for how long, the person actually held their hand(s) to
receive a dosage of sanitizer, and thus, that the person was not
just located near the sanitizer dispenser 100a. Alternatively yet,
other ways of monitoring whether the sanitizer dispenser 100a has
been used are also within the scope of the invention. For example,
as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the plunger 218 or
other dispensing device associated with the sanitizer dispenser
100a may include a trip/cycle indicator (not shown) for registering
whether the plunger 218 was actually depressed or otherwise
triggered.
The RFID reader 212 and the optical sensor 216 (if present) are in
communication with sanitizer dispenser operations monitor 200,
which, in turn, is operable to collect data associated with these
devices. More particularly, data is collected from the RFID reader
212 indicating the identity of the user 204. Additionally, if the
sanitizer dispenser 100a includes a use verifier, such as an
optical sensor 216, data from the use verifier is also collected by
the sanitizer dispenser operations monitor 200. As those skilled in
the art will appreciate, in addition to RFID, other magnetically,
optically, and/or electronically readable user identifiers are
within the scope of the present invention. In particular, a user
may be identified by way of a typed password, retinal scan, voice
print, palm print, fingerprint, face identification, bar coding (on
an employee ID), etc.
Also shown in FIG. 2 is a consumables container 228 that contains
the sanitizing material, such as an alcohol gel. In accordance with
at least one embodiment of the present invention, the consumables
container 228 may optionally include a detachable connection to a
consumable receptacle 230 associated with the sanitizer dispenser
100a so that the consumable container 228 may be removed and
disposed of when its contents are expended. After the disposal of a
used consumables container 228, a new consumables container 228 is
then attached to the sanitizer dispenser 100a. In accordance with
one or more embodiments of the present invention, the consumables
container 228 also includes a consumables RFID tag 232 that
contains information related to the consumable container 228. A
consumables RFID reader 236 associated with the sanitizer dispenser
100a reads the consumables RFID tag 232 and communicates
information related to the consumables container 228 to the
sanitizer dispenser operations monitor 200. In one embodiment of
the present invention, the RFID reader 212 can also serve as the
consumables RFID reader 236 so that two separate readers are not
need. However, two separate readers could be used. In addition,
although RFID is discussed herein for use of identification of
consumables, as noted herein other types of identification systems
may be used, such as bar codes. Thus, for example, if RFID is used
to identify the user, and a bar code is used to identify the
consumables, or vice-versa, two separate readers may be needed.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of components and features
of the sanitizer dispenser operations monitor 200 is shown. As
mentioned previously, the sanitizer dispenser monitor 200 is a
computational device. Accordingly, the sanitizer dispenser
operations monitor 200 includes a processor 300, a memory 304 and
signaling interfaces 308 and 312 operable to communicate with
external electronic and/or computational components. The first
signaling interface 308 operates to communicate with the
administration computer 104 over communication link 108a, as
described above. The second signaling interface 312 operates to
communicate with the various electronic components associated with
the compliance verification system for sanitizer dispenser 100a,
including: (1) the RFID reader 212 for the user's RFID tag 208; (2)
the optional RFID reader 236 for the consumables RFID tag 232
(although in one embodiment a single RFID reader may be used to
serve as the RFID reader for the user's RFID tag 208 and also the
consumables RFID tag 232); and (3) the optional use verifier, such
as optical sensor 216. The second signaling interface 312 may be a
portion of a backplane incorporated into sanitizer dispenser 100a
that includes a connection to the sanitizer dispenser's 100a
electronic components, if any. Alternatively, if sanitizer
dispenser 100a is a manually operated unit and/or if the sanitizer
dispenser operations monitor 200 is implemented as a stand-alone
computer, the sanitizer dispenser operations monitor 200 may
communicate with the electronic components associated with the
compliance verification system for sanitizer dispenser 100a through
a network or serial bus connection.
The memory 304 includes a plurality of stored program applications
or modules that implement various features of a compliance
monitoring system. In accordance with embodiments of the present
invention, the memory 304 includes a compliance-monitoring module
316 and optionally includes a consumables authentication module
324. Additionally, the memory 304 may include data structures 332
associated with the various modules. In accordance with embodiments
of the present invention, the data structures 332 include a
sanitizer dispenser-use record 336 and one or more employee records
340. The operation of the various modules and data structures is
described in greater detail below.
The compliance-monitoring module 316 operates to monitor and record
the activity of a plurality of users 204 of the sanitizer dispenser
100a. The process is outlined as follows. The user 204 approaches a
sanitizer dispenser 100a with a RFID tag 208 on their person, the
RFID tag 208 having been programmed with a RFID tag programming
device with the individual's name or number, and/or other pertinent
data. The tag 208 is read by the RFID reader 212 when the user 204
approaches and/or activates the sanitizer dispenser 100a. In
addition, for embodiments including a use verifier, for example an
optical sensor 216, as the user 204 places at least one of his or
her hands in the proximity of the dispensing device of the
sanitizer dispenser 100a the optical sensor 216 will register
within the data structure 332 that the user 204 used the sensitizer
dispenser 100a. In at least some touchless sanitizer dispensers,
the sensor activating the sanitizer dispenser 100a to eject
sanitizer may also serve as the use verifier (e.g., an infrared
sensor that triggers ejection of the sanitizer also is the optical
sensor 216 that provides data of use to the data structure 332). In
one configuration, a timer records a time duration during which the
optical and/or infrared sensor determines that the user's hands are
in a position to receive sanitizer. After a user 204 has used the
sanitizer dispenser 100a, the data showing such items as user name,
time, use-time interval, date, sanitizer dispenser ID, and,
optionally, use verification data, etc., is stored in the data
structure 332. The stored data is later accessed by the
administration computer 104 in connection with the generation of a
compliance report.
An exemplary sanitizer dispenser-use record 336 having data
associated with a plurality of users 204 is shown in FIG. 4. In
accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an entry in
the sanitizer dispenser-use record 336 may include an employee name
400 indicating who used the sanitizer dispenser 100a, a time stamp
404 indicating when the user RFID tag 208 was read, the date 412,
and, optionally, a compliance indicator 416 specifying whether or
not a use verifier positively registered that the sanitizer
dispenser 100a actually dispensed sanitizer. As an example, the
sanitizer dispenser-use record shown in FIG. 4 indicates that on
May 21, 2006 Janet Smith met the sanitizer use requirement by using
the sanitizer dispenser at 8:00.00 A.M. In an alternative
embodiment, if an optional use verifier is not associated with the
sanitizer dispenser 100a, the sanitizer dispenser-use record 336
may contain only raw data such as the employee name 400, time 404,
and date 412 without a determination as to whether compliance
requirements have been met. Alternatively, compliance may be
defined by some administrators to consist of the user's
identification having been read by the RFID reader 212, and actual
use of the sanitizer is assumed and not checked.
The compliance-monitoring module 316 may also operate to monitor
sanitizer use requirements that are specific to each employee. Some
employees may have stricter sanitizer use requirements than others
at the same facility. For example, a hospital emergency room may
employ both nurses and social workers. As can be appreciated, the
nurses may be required to use sanitizer more frequently than the
social workers. Accordingly, the compliance-monitoring module 316
may access employee records to determine the required frequency of
sanitizer use for a particular employee. In addition, sanitizer use
requirements may also depend on an employee's history of compliance
with his or her sanitizer requirements. For example, an employee
may be required to use sanitizer more often if a history of
previous non-compliance exists.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a
sanitizer selection module 328 may be provided to determine what
type of sanitizer is to be used with each individual user 204. More
particularly, it is generally anticipated that the majority of
sanitizer dispensers would only hold one type of sanitizer.
However, sanitizer dispensers holding two or more types of
sanitizer or a concentrated sanitizer with a diluting agent are
contemplated by the present invention. For example, a sanitizer
dispenser 100a may be equipped with a plurality of different types
of sanitizer, and one user 204 may have an allergy to the standard
sanitizer, so the system is programmed to automatically use a
different and appropriate sanitizer when this user 204 is
identified through their RFID tag 208. Alternatively, the sanitizer
selection module 328 may determine whether the user 204 should use
one or a greater number of doses (i.e., volume) of sanitizer, or
different sanitizer formulation, depending upon their job duties.
In yet another alternative, the sanitizer selection module 328 may
determine the concentration of sanitizer, wherein embodiments of
the sanitizer dispensers 100 may comprise a way of diluting a
concentrated sanitizer using a diluting agent. Accordingly,
information related to user allergies or sanitizer type and/or
concentration and/or amount may be contained in the employee record
340.
An exemplary employee record 340 for use in connection with the
sanitizer selection module 328 is shown in FIG. 5. In accordance
with embodiments of the present invention, an entry in the employee
record 340 may include the employee name 500, sanitizer use
statistics 504 associated with employee, and/or a listing of the
employee's allergies 516. As an example, the employee record 340
shown in FIG. 5 indicates that Bill Forbes is in 97% compliance
with the sanitizer use requirement and has an allergy to sanitizer
A.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
employee record 340 may be an instance of a global employee record
maintained centrally at the administration computer 104.
Accordingly, the administration computer 104 may periodically
access and/or update a plurality of instances of employee records
340 associated with each sanitizer dispenser 100a-100n to maintain
a comprehensive employee record. Alternatively, at least a portion
of the employee use record 340, or data described herein as being
associated with the employee use record 340, may be stored in the
RFID tag 208 worn by the user 204. For example, a list of the
user's 204 allergies may be stored in his or her RFID tag 208 and
read by the RFID reader 212 when the user 204 obtains sanitizer
from a sanitizer dispenser 100a.
Embodiments of the present invention may include operation of a
consumables authentication module 324 that operates to recognize
when a non-authorized sanitizer is introduced into the system. The
consumables container 228 and/or a receptacle or fitting associated
with the sanitizer dispenser 100a for receiving the consumables
container 228 may be mechanically designed to discourage
introducing non-authorized sanitizer to the system. In accordance
with embodiments of the present invention, the consumables
container 228 includes a consumable container RFID tag 232 that is
recognized by the RFID reader 236 as an approved sanitizer
container. If the consumables container 228 is withdrawn from the
sanitizer dispenser 100a and reinstalled, the RFID reader 236 will
recognize the tag as invalid and warn the administrator through the
administration computer 104 via a communication link 108a that this
is not acceptable and potentially void the product warranty.
Alternatively, or in addition thereto, an option is available where
the sanitizer dispenser 100a will stop functioning at the direction
of the consumables authentication module 328 until a proper
consumables container 228 with a valid RFID tag 232 is inserted
into the sanitizer dispenser container receptacle 230. For example,
the dispensing pump or plunger may be rendered inoperative, such as
by a shut-down mode for automatic dispensers or a locking pin (not
shown) on a manually operated plunger activated dispenser. In yet
another possible alternative and/or in addition to the options
provided above, the known number of doses or applications (i.e.,
volume) of the consumable material may be associated with a valid
RFID tag 232 and monitored by the consumables authentication module
328 so that once the number of applications is reached (and thus
the consumable (sanitizer) expended) the sanitizer dispenser 100a
cannot be used until another valid consumables container 228 is
installed. For example, say that one consumables container 228
contains enough sanitizer for approximately 500 dispensings of
sanitizer. Once the sanitizer dispenser 100a has administered
approximately 500 dispensings of sanitizer (e.g., 510) using a
particular consumables container 228, then this container will no
longer be operable with the sanitizer dispenser 100a. This prevents
the consumable container 228 from being removed, refilled with a
non-approved sanitizer (or other material), and then reinserted for
use with the sanitizer dispenser 100a. Such forced compliance for
use of the proper consumables provides compliance regulators and/or
administrators confidence that approved sanitizer is being applied
to the users 204 hands with each use.
In addition to RFID, other methods and/or systems may be used to
identify the consumables container 228. For example, the consumable
container 228 may be identified by a bar code and bar code
reader.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a block diagram showing components and
features of the administration computer 104 is illustrated.
Administration computer 104 includes a processor 600, a memory 604
and signaling interfaces 608 and 612 operable to communicate with
external electronic and/or computational components. The first
signaling interface 608 operates to communicate with the sanitizer
dispensers 100a-100n over communication links 108a-108n, as
described above. The second signaling interface operates to
communicate with the various administrator input 616 and
administrator output 620 devices associated with the administration
computer 104. The administrator input device 616 may be, for
example, a keyboard or a mouse interconnected to the administration
computer 104. The administrator output device 620 may be, for
example, a monitor or a printer interconnected to the
administration computer 104.
The memory 604 includes a plurality of stored program applications
or modules that implement various features of a compliance
monitoring system. In accordance with embodiments of the present
invention, the memory 604 may include a data retrieval module 624
and a custom report module 628. Additionally, the memory 604 may
include data structures 632 associated with the various modules. In
accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the data
structures 632 may include an employee record 636 and/or a
compliance report 640.
The data retrieval module 624 operates to retrieve data associated
with sanitizer dispensers 100a-100n. Such data may include data
related to sanitizer dispenser usage and/or employee specific data.
The data may be contained in a sanitizer dispenser-use record 336
and/or an employee record 340 associated with a sanitizer dispenser
100a-100n. Additionally, the data retrieval module 624 may operate
to maintain a global employee record 636 as described above.
The custom report module 628 operates to generate the compliance
report 640. The compliance report 640 is generated from data
contained in each sanitizer dispenser-use record 336 associated
with sanitizer dispensers 100a-100n. An exemplary compliance report
is shown in FIG. 7. In accordance with embodiments of the present
invention, an entry in the compliance report 640 may include an
employee name 700, time stamp 704 indicating when a sanitizer
dispenser 100a was used, the date 708 of the use, the sanitizer
dispenser ID 712, and a optionally a compliance indicator 716
specifying whether or not the user 204 met the compliance
requirement. As an example, the compliance report shown in FIG. 7
indicates that on May 21, 2006 Janet Smith met the sanitizer use
requirement by using a sanitizer dispenser at 8:00.00 A.M at
sanitizer dispenser A.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 8
shows a block diagram illustrating the steps of a method of
monitoring a compliance requirement. Initially, at step 800 a user
204 approaches a sanitizer dispenser 100a and presents a badge
having a RFID tag 208 to an RFID reader 212. At step 804 the RFID
tag 208 is read and the user 204 is identified. At step 808 the
user's 204 name, the date, the time, and the location or
identification number/designation of the sanitizer dispenser 100a
are recorded. At step 812 sanitizer is dispensed. At optional step
816, compliance verification may occur, such as through an optical
sensor 216 to sense the user's hand(s) near the dispensing outlet
of the sanitizer dispenser 100a. At step 824 the transaction is
completed and recorded. At step 828 data is collected from the
sanitizer dispensers 100a-100n over the communication links
108a-108n. Finally, at step 832 the collected data is used to
generate a compliance report 640. Additional steps associated with
the method may include: monitoring proper use of consumables;
warning that an improper consumables container 228 has been
installed; warning that a consumables container 228 is empty or
nearly empty based on the number of uses since being installed; and
warning that one or more users are failing to meet compliance
requirements if a use verifier is used.
The present invention, in various embodiments, includes components,
methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as
depicted and described herein, including various embodiments,
subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art
will understand how to make and use the present invention after
understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in
various embodiments, includes providing devices and processes in
the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in
various embodiments hereof, including in the absence of such items
as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for
improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of
implementation.
It is to be noted that the term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or
more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or
more" and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is
also to be noted that the terms "comprising", "including", and
"having" can be used interchangeably.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for
purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not
intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed
herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various
features of the invention are grouped together in one or more
embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This
method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an
intention that the claimed invention requires more features than
are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of
a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims
are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each
claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the
invention.
Moreover, though the description of the invention has included
description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and
modifications, other variations and modifications are within the
scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and
knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present
disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include
alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including
alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,
ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or
steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly
dedicate any patentable subject matter.
* * * * *
References